Linking Character Education with Human Rights

Dr. Muhammad Habib Chirzin, President, Islamic Forum for Peace and Development, Millennium Commissioner, Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
September 29, 2006

An Indonesia workshop organized by Dr. Muhammad Habib Chirzin, the Millennium Commissioner of the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights, examined the human rights issues involved in disaster response.

Dr. Habib Chirzin (Center) addresses the audience

The workshop took place September 21-22 at the Sapphire Hotel in Yogyakarta, a city in central Java, with cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Communication, and the Ministry of Information. Participants included a member of parliament and representatives of national commissions, ministries and NGOs.

Discussion focused on the New Bill on Disaster Management in relation to the International Human Rights Standards on Post-disaster Resettlement and Rehabilitation. Participants drew attention to the right of disaster survivors to a life with dignity and an adequate standard of living. Issues of resettlement and rehabilitation after a disaster affect many aspects of society, and the rights of children, the elderly, the disabled, and women need protection. Additional concerns are HIV/AIDS and the environment.

Character and Human Rights Education Discussion

The workshop provided an opportunity for a fruitful meeting with officials from the Center for Education Research and Development at Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University to discuss opportunities to develop character education in relationship with human rights education. An Ambassador for Peace with the Universal Peace Federation, Dr. Chirzin participated in the Character Education Working Group at the third UPF Assembly and returned to Indonesia with a set of its new character education student texts and teachers’ manuals.

The Center for Education Research and Development has developed modules and textbooks on character education for secondary and high school. Dr. Chirzin envisions opportunities for future collaboration between UPF’s Office of Character Education and the Center for Education Research and Development in Yogyakarta.

A follow-up meeting to the Yogyakarta conference on disaster management focused on preparations for the mid-November Regional ASEAN National Human Rights Commissions to be held in Bali. In recognition of his commitment to disaster services, Dr. Chirzin was an invited presenter at the International Forum on Disaster Relief held in July at Darussalam University in Brunei.